Manual reset valve



E. PAILLE MANUAL RESET VALVE Filed Sept; 12, 1941 Illll 20 w M 45 i /4 25 -n 4 47 fuafrvc- PA/LLE 3nventor,

Gttorneg Patented Oct. 20, 1942 UNITED STATES-PATENT OFFICE 2,299,049 V y MANUALRESET VALVE Eugene Paille, Los Angeles,

Calif., assignor to General Controls 00., Glendale, CaliL, a corl'nla poration of Calil'o Application September 12, 1941, Serial No. 410,552

8 Claims.

My present invention relates to a safetycontrol device, and particularly to a control device of the "manual reset type wherein a member, such as a switch arm or valve closure member, is

\ moved to its active position by manual means,

in that position, against a biasing and is retained force, by means responsive to a controlling condition. A control device of the type indicated has its principal utility in controlling the flow of fuel to a main burner, for which a constantly burning pilot burner is usually provided. -The,

device may be in the form of a switch in the control circuit of an electrically operated valve, or may be a valve controlling fuel supply to the main burner. In either case, the principal function of such a device is to prevent flow of fuel to a burner upon abnormal change in the controlling condition, such as excessive rise in temperature or pressure, or extinction of the pilot burner flame. Accordingly, upon the occurrence of such an abnormal condition, the switch arm, or closure member, is moved to its inactive position under the influence of the biasing force, in which position it will remain until the device is manually reset. During the resetting operation, it is desirable that no fuel should flow to the main bumer unless a safe condition exists. With this idea in mind, it has been proposed that the switch arm, or closure member, as the case may be, remain in its inactive position during the resetting operation until the condition responsive holding means is eifective, when, upon completion of the resetting cycle, the switch arm or closure member may 'reassume its active position. My invention concerns an improved form of such a device.

An object of my invention is to provide, in a device of the type indicated, means for simultaneously creating a force tending to hold a control member in its inactive position while moving a second memberinto engagement with conditions responsive holding means therefor; the second member, when not held, serving to maintain the control member in its inactive position.

Another object of my invention is to provide means of the character described in the preceding object including means whereby rotary movement of one member relative to the other causes relative linear displacement of the members.

Other objects and advantagesof my invention will be found in the description, the drawing, and the appended claims.

For complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1"is a sectional view of a valve embodying my invention;

Figures 2 and 3 are similar fragmentary sectional views of the valve shown in Fig. 1 showing the parts in the positions assumed in opera- I tion; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken along the line 4 4 of Fig. l. 4

In the drawing, the numeral ll indicates a casing having an inlet [2 and an outlet I3 separated by a partition [4 having a port opening l5 therethrough, the upper end of the wall of which provides an annular valve seat [6. Extending from the lower wall of the casing H, centrally of the port I5 is a boss I! having a cylindrical bore l8 which communicates with the exteriorof the valve by means of a threaded supplemental outlet 19 in the lower wall of the casing.-

Cooperable with the valve seat I6 is a closure member 20, the lower portion of which forms a cylindrical stem 23 which extends downwardly into, and is guided in, the bore I8. Guiding the upper end of the stem 23 and the closure member 20 are vanes 2| which extend from the underside of the closure member and slidably engage the side wall of the port opening I i. Formed in the surface of the lower portion of stem 23, and communicating with the region of bore l8 below the stem, are grooves 24 which permit flow of fluid, under certain conditions, from outlet i3 to the bore l8. The stem 23 should be a close sliding fit in the bore l8 as their coopcrating surfaces from a supplemental valve means 21 for controlling-such flow of fluid. The

closure member 20, which constantly urges the' latter toward its open position. The spring 2 is only of sufllcient strength to overcome the force due to the weight of closure member II and the pressure of the fluid acting on the upper surface of the closure member.

Covering an opening in the top wall of the casing it is an inverted cup-shaped housing 33 wherein is mounted an electro-magnet comprising a U-shaped core 31, around the arms of which are energizing coils 38. Terminals 39 are provided in the side wall of the housing for electrical connection with the electromagnet. erable with the pole faces formed at the extrernities of the arms of the core 31 is an armature 4|, circular in shape, having a control opening for a rod 42, the upper end portion of which extends through aligned openings in the core 31 and the top wall of housing 35. The upper end of an enlarged lower portion 43 of the rod 42 provides a rounded shoulder 44 cooperable with the conforming beveled, or rounded, edge at the bottom of the opening through the armature to provide a rockable connection between the two members. In the upper portion of closure member 20 is a concentric bore 45 for an insert 46, tightly pressed in the bore, having an inclined plane upper surface 41. Extending axially through the insert 46 and stem 23 is a passageway 48 interconnecting bores 45 and I8. The upper end of passage 48 provides an annular auxiliary valve seat cooperable with which is a conical auxiliary closure member 52 located centrally on the lower end of the rod 42 which is cut diagonally to cooperate with the inclined surface of insert 45. By means of grooves 54, extending upwardly in the side of the enlarged portion 43 of rod 42 from the lower end thereof, fluid may flow from inlet l2 to bore 45 and thence, when auxiliary closure member 52 is away from its seat, by passageway 48 to the supplemental outlet I9.

Around the rod 42, and compressed between an v abutment member 55, fixed on rod 42, and the top wall of housing 35, is'a spring 51 normally urging closure member toward its seat. The member 55, when the armature is in magnetically-held engagement with the core 31, as shown in Fig. 3, supports the weight of rod 42. Interposed between the upper end of spring 51 and the top wall of housing 35 is a fibrous sealing member 56 which serves to prevent leakage of fluid around rod 42 to the exterior of the housing. It is proposed'that the electromagnet core 31 be energized by weak current in coils 38 so that it cannot attract the armature 4| through space, but once the core and armature have been manually brought into engagement, the magnetic holding force is sufficient to overcome the opposing force of spring 51 plus the weights of rod 42 and armature 4|. If the weights of rod 42 and armature 4| are great enough to overcome the force of spring 25, spring 51 may be omitted.

Carried on the outer end of rod 42 is a yoke 58 which has a square opening in its upper wall to freely receive the squared shank of a rod 59, for the operation of which a hand-wheel 60 is provided. "The longitudinal freedom of movement between the yoke 58 and rod 59 permits rotation of the hand-wheel without elevation of the same.

"The operation of the'device is as follows: assumingth'at the valve is connected to supply fuel to a main burner and that a pilot burner for the main burner is connected to the supplemental outlet |9,- with the parts in the positions shown in Fig. 1, fuel flow to the main burner is prevented by closure member 20, and to the pilot burner by auxiliary closure member 52. Clockwise rotation of hand-wheel 60 causes rotation of yoke 58 and the rod 42 secured thereto, whereupon the engaging inclined surfaces of rod.42 and insert 46 cause forces to be produced which simultaneously urge each member in an axial opposite direction. Since closure member 20, in

Coopengagement with its seat, can move no further downward, rod '42 will move upward, against the compression force of spring 51, until the armature 4| thereon is in engagement with the pole faces of. core 31. At this time the parts are in the positions shown in Fig, 2. It will be seen that auxiliary closure member 52 has moved to its open position, permitting fuelto flow from inlet 12, through groove 54, passageway 48, and suplemental outlet I!) to the pilot burner, where it may now be lighted. The supplemental valve means 21 are closed, thus preventing any possibility of fuel passing to the, main burner. The dimensions of the parts, and distances through which they move, are such that the armature is brought into engagement with the pole faces of core 31 considerably before rod 42 has been rotated through provided whereby wear of the engaging inclined surfaces of the rod and armature as well as wear between the closure member and its seat may be compensated.

Assuming, now that the coils 38 are'energized by means such as a thermoelectric generator heated by the flame of the pilot burner, ignition of gas at the pilot burner will soon cause energization of the electromagnet core 31 in an amount sufficient to hold the armature against the force of spring 51 and the weight of rod 42 and armature 4|. If the rod 42 is now turned in the opposite, or anticlockwise, direction it will remain in its raised position and closure member 20 immediately leaves its seat under the iii-'- fiuence of spring 25, and the supplemental valve means 21 are opened. Auxiliary closure member 52 has not yet seated when closure member 2|] leaves its seat, and gas may now also flow from inlet l2through port l5 and grooves 24 and supplemental outlet l3 to the pilot burner; and through port I 5 and outlet |3 to the main burner. When rod 42 is fully returned to its non-rotated, but raised position, auxiliary closure member 52 is seated; the parts assuming the positions shown in Fig. 3.

Upon accidental extinction of the pilot burner flame, and the resultant cessation of current, the electromagnet is no longer energized and armature 4| moves downwardly under the influence of spring 51. The force of this spring, in combination with the force of gravity acting on rod 42 and armature 4| is suflicient to overcome the counter force of spring 25 to move closure member 20 to its closed position; the parts reassuming their normal positions shown in Fig, 1.

The cooperating surfaces between the rod 42 and insert 46 need not necessarily be in the specific form shown, but may take the form of any inclined plane mechanism for converting rotary motion into linear motion such as a screw. The inclined surface 41 of insert 46 may be considered as the thread of a screw having a large pitch.

It will be apparent that, instead of turning rod I 42 and preventing the rotation of closure member 20, it would be quite as effective to rotate the closure member and prevent rotation of the armature-carrying rod, suitable turning means being substituted.

Undesirable side thrust on the reciprocating members, caused by rotation of the inclined surfaces, varies directly as the pitch-diameter ratio of the surfaces and therefore may be reduced by increasing the contact diameter of the surface. If one of the inclined surfaces is located on the Removable shims 36 are top side of closure member 20 instead of within the bore 45, the contact-diameter will not be limited by the size of opening it and almost any desirable pitch-diameter ratio may then be obtained.

While I have herein shown and described, by way of illustration, a specific embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that modiflcations may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention and that I intend, thereiore, that my invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. Ina control device: a first member reciprocable between an active and an inactive position and constantly biased toward said active position; a second member axially movable with respect to said first member and normally exerting an opposing force thereon greater than that oi said constant bias; one of said members also being rotatable on its axis; said members having engaging portions forming cooperable means such that rotation of one of said members relative to the other in one direction causes axial movement of said second member with respect to said first member without removing the force of the second member on the first member so that the same remains in its active position; and condition responsive means for retaining said second member in its moved position so that when said rotatable member is subsequently rotated in an opposite direction the force exerted by the second member is removed and said first member moves to its active position.

2. In a control device: a first member reciprocable between an active and an inactive position and constantly biased toward said active position; a second member axially movable withrespect to said first member and normally exerting an opposing force thereon greater than that of said constant bias; one of said members also being rotatable on its axis; one of said members having an inclined plane surface, the other member having a non-axial surface cooperable with said inclined plane surface whereby rotary motion of. one of said members relative to the other in a first direction is converted into axial movement of said second member relative to said first member without removing the force of the second member on the first member so that the same remains in its inactive position; and condition responsive means for retaining said second member in its moved position so that when said rotatable member is subsequently rotated in an opposite direction the forc exerted by the second member is removed and said first member moves to its active position.

ond member relative to said first member is converted into linear movement of said second member with respect to said first member without removing the force of the second member on the first member so that the same remains in it' in active position; and electromagnetic means for retaining said second member in its moved position so that when said second member is subsequently rotated in an opposite direction the force exerted by the second member is removed and said first member-moves to its active position.

4. In a fluid control valve: a casing having a ported passage therethrough provided with a valve seat; a first reciprocable member cooperable with said seat and constantly biased away from said seat; a second member axially movable with respect to said first member and normally exerting an opposing forc thereon greater than that of said constant bias; one of said members being rotatable on its axis; cooperable means on said first and second members such that rotation of one of 'said members relative to the other in one direction causes axial movement of said second member relative to said first member without removing the force of the second member on .the first member so that the same remains on its seat; and condition responsive means for retaining said second member in its moved position so that when said rotatable member is subsequently rotated in an opposite direction the force exerted by the second member is removed and said first member moves away from its seat.

5. In a fiuid control valve: a casing having a ported passage therethrough provided with a valve seat; a first r'eciprocable member cooperable with said seat and constantly biased away from said seat; a second member axially movable with respect to said first member and normally exerting an opposing force thereon greater than that of said constant bias; only one of said members being rotatable on its axis; a stem on said first member; cooperable means in said casing for guiding said stem; one of said members providing an inclined plane and the other member providing a non-axial surface slidably en gageable with said inclined plane whereby rotary movement of one of said members relative to the other is converted into linear movement of said second member with respect to said first member without removing the force exerted by the second member on the first member so that the same remains on its seat; and electromagnetic means for retaining said second member in its moved position so that when said rotatable mem her is subsequently rotated in an opposite direction the force exerted by the second'member is removed and said first member moves away from its seat.

6. In a fluid control valve: a casing having a ported passage therethrough provided with a valve seat; a first reciprocabie member cooperable with said seat and constantly biased away from said seat; guiding means for said first member comprising a stem thereon cooperable with a hollow portion of said casing; a second member axially movable with respect to said first member and having a stem portion slidable within a bore in said first member to provide guiding-means for said second member; said second member beving rotatable 'on its axis and normally exerting an opposing force on said first member reater than that of said constant bias; means for preventing rotation of said first member; cooperable portions of said first and second members comprising inclined surfaces such that rotation of said second member in one direction causes axial movement thereof with respect to said first member Without removing the force exerted by the second member on the first member so that said first member remains on its seat; and condition responsive means for retaining said second member in its moved position so that when said second member is subsequently rotated in an opposite direction the force exerted by the second member is removed and said first member moves away from its seat.

'7. In a fluid control valve: a casing having a ported passage therethrough provided with a valve seat; a first reciprocable member cooperable with said seat and constantly biased away from saidseat; a second member axially movable with respect to said first member and normally exerting an opposingforce thereon greater than that of saidfconstant bias; said second member being rotatable on its axis; a stem mounted on said first member; cooperable means in said casing for guidng said stem; said members having continu- Ously engaging telescoping portions providing cam means,whereby rotation of said second member relative to said first member in one direction causes axial movement of said second member relative to said first member without removing the force of the second member exerted on the first member so that the same remains on its seat; and condition responsive means for retaining said second member in its moved position so that when said rotatable member is subsequently rotated in an opposite direction the force exerted by the second member is 'removed andsaid first member moves away'from its seat.

8. In a fluid control valve: a casing having a ported passage therethrough provided with a valve seat; a first reciprocable member cooperable with said seat and constantly biased away from a seat; a stem on said first member; means in said casing for guiding said stem while preventing rotation thereof; a second member axially movable with respect to said first member and having a stem portion slidable within a bore in said first member to provide guiding means for said second member; said second member being rotatable on its axis and normally exerting an opposing force on said first member greater than that of said constant bias; said first member providing an inclined surface in a recess extending from its side away from said seat to cooperate with a contacting portion on said second member so that rotation of said second member relative to said first member in one direction causes axial movement thereof with respect to said first member without removing the force exerted by the second member on the first member so that the first member remains on its seat; and condition responsive means for retaining said second member in its moved position so that when said second member is subsequently rotated in an opposite direction the force exerted-by the second member is removed and said first member moves away from its seat.

- EUGENE PAILLE. 

